Schooner J.A. Travis (1867–1893)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: J.A. Travis
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 13862
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Schooner (lumber and cargo carrier)
• Builder: Arnold Shipyard, Pentwater, Michigan
• Year Built & Launched: 1867
• Specifications:  Length: 106 ft (32.3 m)  Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m)  Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 101 GT
• Net Tonnage: 96 NT
• Date Lost: November 17, 1893
• Location of Loss: Off Cana Island, at the mouth of Green Bay, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Storm (ran aground and Foundered)
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber and marble

Vessel Description & Service History

The J.A. Travis was a three-masted wooden Schooner, built in 1867 at Pentwater, Michigan by Arnold Shipyard Designed primarily for lumber transport, she also carried various bulk cargo, such as marble at the time of her sinking.  Owned and operated by Captain Albert Bake of Milwaukee, she sailed on Lake Michigan’s cargo trade routes.  Had a history of mishaps, including capsizing on Lake Michigan in 1868, which required extensive repairs.  Rebuilt in 1874 and received major repairs in 1884, indicating a long and hard-working career.

Final Voyage & Loss (November 17, 1893)

The J.A. Travis was sailing from Ellison’s Bay, Wisconsin, to Milwaukee, carrying a load of lumber and marble when she encountered a powerful storm near the mouth of Green Bay.  She ran aground near Cana Island, striking bottom and quickly foundering in the rough seas.  The crew lost their only lifeboat, leaving them stranded on the sinking vessel.  They endured 20 hours of exposure to freezing conditions before the U.S. Lifesaving Service rescued them. Despite the Schooner’s Total Loss, all crew members survived thanks to the heroic efforts of the Cana Island Lifesaving Station.

Final Disposition & Salvage

Declared a Total Loss due to storm damage and foundering.  No known salvage efforts.  Wreck remains likely scattered off Cana Island, Wisconsin, in Green Bay.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck.  Potential remains may exist near Cana Island, Wisconsin.

NOTMARs & Advisories

 Cana Island, near the entrance to Green Bay, is known for shipwrecks due to its rocky shoreline and exposure to storms. The U.S. Lifesaving Service played a crucial role in rescuing crews from shipwrecks in this area, often under dangerous conditions. The loss of the J.A. Travis highlights the hazards faced by wooden schooners in the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The J.A. Travis was a hardworking cargo Schooner, lost in a violent storm off Cana Island in 1893 while carrying lumber and marble. Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, her crew survived, but the vessel was lost and remains undiscovered. The wreck serves as a reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes mariners in the age of sail.